" . . . for he maketh his sun to rise on the evil and on the good, and sendeth rain on the just and on the unjust."
Wednesday, September 16, 2015
Matthew 5:45
Come, sit, and enjoy a cup of tea or coffee in the comfort of the Lord: "Let all bitterness, and wrath, and anger, and clamour, and evil speaking be put away from you, with all malice." Ephesians 4:31
" . . . for he maketh his sun to rise on the evil and on the good, and sendeth rain on the just and on the unjust."
" . . . for he maketh his sun to rise on the evil and on the good, and sendeth rain on the just and on the unjust."
The Darkness Of Hell
Come, sit, and enjoy a cup of tea or coffee in the comfort of the Lord: "Let all bitterness, and wrath, and anger, and clamour, and evil speaking be put away from you, with all malice." Ephesians 4:31
" . . . . they shall never see light!" Psalm 49:19 kjv
There is a certain horror about absolute darkness that throws a chill over the human soul; for man was made to live in the light! Heaven is always depicted as a place of eternal brightness where there is "no night.." The psalmist, however, declares that the wicked shall "never see light" ; and Jesus warns that they shall be cast into "outer darkness"! What a horror of blackness that will be when each doomed soul is curtained off from every other in an eternity of utter loneliness.
Recently I was in a cave in Kentucky. When we had gone deep into the bowels of the earth through many winding passageways, the guide suddenly turned off all the lights and said, "I alone know the way out. If I were to leave you in this dark chamber, you would probably never make your way to the surface. Those who have been lost in this cavern have become insane inside of a week from the oppressive loneliness and the maddening, incessant drip of the water from the roof. Be quiet for a moment and feel the darkness!" I remember my youngster clutching my arm. Soon terror began to edge its way into all of our hearts. After about thirty seconds, someone in the party could endure the ordeal no longer and whimpered piteously, "Turn on the light! I'm going crazy NOW!" The guide laughed, but none of us will ever forget that eerie experience. I thought of the "outer darkness" of an eternal Hell and shuddered!
An evangelist once encountered a skeptic who, when asked to receive Christ, said, "I'm not afraid of Hell - all the Hell we get is here on earth! The preacher's reply was quick and devastating. "I'll give you three reasons why this cannot be Hell. First, I am a Christian, and there are no Christians in Hell! Secondly, there is a place just around the corner where you can slake your thirst, but there is no water in Hell! Thirdly, I have been preaching Christ to you, and there is no Gospel in Hell!" Friend, would you escape the eternal darkness of Hell? Receive Christ who is the Light!
"Bread For Each Day"
" . . . . they shall never see light!" Psalm 49:19 kjv
There is a certain horror about absolute darkness that throws a chill over the human soul; for man was made to live in the light! Heaven is always depicted as a place of eternal brightness where there is "no night.." The psalmist, however, declares that the wicked shall "never see light" ; and Jesus warns that they shall be cast into "outer darkness"! What a horror of blackness that will be when each doomed soul is curtained off from every other in an eternity of utter loneliness.
Recently I was in a cave in Kentucky. When we had gone deep into the bowels of the earth through many winding passageways, the guide suddenly turned off all the lights and said, "I alone know the way out. If I were to leave you in this dark chamber, you would probably never make your way to the surface. Those who have been lost in this cavern have become insane inside of a week from the oppressive loneliness and the maddening, incessant drip of the water from the roof. Be quiet for a moment and feel the darkness!" I remember my youngster clutching my arm. Soon terror began to edge its way into all of our hearts. After about thirty seconds, someone in the party could endure the ordeal no longer and whimpered piteously, "Turn on the light! I'm going crazy NOW!" The guide laughed, but none of us will ever forget that eerie experience. I thought of the "outer darkness" of an eternal Hell and shuddered!
An evangelist once encountered a skeptic who, when asked to receive Christ, said, "I'm not afraid of Hell - all the Hell we get is here on earth! The preacher's reply was quick and devastating. "I'll give you three reasons why this cannot be Hell. First, I am a Christian, and there are no Christians in Hell! Secondly, there is a place just around the corner where you can slake your thirst, but there is no water in Hell! Thirdly, I have been preaching Christ to you, and there is no Gospel in Hell!" Friend, would you escape the eternal darkness of Hell? Receive Christ who is the Light!
"Bread For Each Day"
Tuesday, September 15, 2015
Verily! Verily!
Come, sit, and enjoy a cup of tea or coffee in the comfort of the Lord: "Let all bitterness, and wrath, and anger, and clamour, and evil speaking be put away from you, with all malice." Ephesians 4:31
" . . . Verily, verily!" John 3:3
Jesus used the word "verily" 101 times as recorded in the four gospels. He uses the two words, "Verily, verily," together 24 times in John alone, for a total of fourty-eight times. In the original the word is AMEN! It is also translated: "So be it." It is a word of finality - it is Jesus' last word." No more can be said, Jesus said Amen to His promises and that settles it.
A poor Scotchwoman in Glasgow who had attended some evangelistic meetings, resolved that she would rest her salvation on the words of the Lord Jesus as found in John 5:24. "Verily, verily, I say unto you, he that heareth my word, and believeth on him that sent me, hath everlasting life, and shall not come into condemnation: but is passed from death unto life." Major Whittle, the evangelist, wrote the words on a card, and gave it to her. She became very happy, so much so, her little boy was attracted by the joy of his mother, and asked what had happened. She told him the best way she could; the consequence was that he too was led to trust in the Saviour. But the next morning she felt very different. Despondency and doubt had taken the place of peace and joy. Her son noticed it at once, and asked her what was the matter. She replied: "I thought I was saved, but my feelings are all gone." "But," said the little fellow, "Mother, has the verse changed?" Quick as a flash he got the little card and read it, and looking up radiantly, replied: "Why no, Mother, it's just the same." And then he turned to the Bible, and read it there with great joy, shouting almost as he cried: "It's here, Mother, the verse is just the same!"
The unalterable Word of the living God is the only ground for assurance. The Word is the anchor to keep us steady amidst the storms of life (Hebrews 6:18). It is the harbor light which shows us where the port of the Lord's protecting presence is (Philippians 2:16). It is the foundation upon which the believer can rest in safety (1 Peter 1:23). Do not insult the Saviour by asking for more than His "Amen!"
"Bread For Each Day"
" . . . Verily, verily!" John 3:3
Jesus used the word "verily" 101 times as recorded in the four gospels. He uses the two words, "Verily, verily," together 24 times in John alone, for a total of fourty-eight times. In the original the word is AMEN! It is also translated: "So be it." It is a word of finality - it is Jesus' last word." No more can be said, Jesus said Amen to His promises and that settles it.
A poor Scotchwoman in Glasgow who had attended some evangelistic meetings, resolved that she would rest her salvation on the words of the Lord Jesus as found in John 5:24. "Verily, verily, I say unto you, he that heareth my word, and believeth on him that sent me, hath everlasting life, and shall not come into condemnation: but is passed from death unto life." Major Whittle, the evangelist, wrote the words on a card, and gave it to her. She became very happy, so much so, her little boy was attracted by the joy of his mother, and asked what had happened. She told him the best way she could; the consequence was that he too was led to trust in the Saviour. But the next morning she felt very different. Despondency and doubt had taken the place of peace and joy. Her son noticed it at once, and asked her what was the matter. She replied: "I thought I was saved, but my feelings are all gone." "But," said the little fellow, "Mother, has the verse changed?" Quick as a flash he got the little card and read it, and looking up radiantly, replied: "Why no, Mother, it's just the same." And then he turned to the Bible, and read it there with great joy, shouting almost as he cried: "It's here, Mother, the verse is just the same!"
The unalterable Word of the living God is the only ground for assurance. The Word is the anchor to keep us steady amidst the storms of life (Hebrews 6:18). It is the harbor light which shows us where the port of the Lord's protecting presence is (Philippians 2:16). It is the foundation upon which the believer can rest in safety (1 Peter 1:23). Do not insult the Saviour by asking for more than His "Amen!"
"Bread For Each Day"
Monday, September 14, 2015
No Interest
Come, sit, and enjoy a cup of tea or coffee in the comfort of the Lord: "Let all bitterness, and wrath, and anger, and clamour, and evil speaking be put away from you, with all malice." Ephesians 4:31
"Yea, I think it meet . . . .to stir you up." 2 Peter 1:13
An elderly lady was once leaving a missionary rally in the company of a young woman. One who was close enough to listen to their conversation was surprised to hear the young girl say rather flippantly, "I just can't get interested in missions!" "Well, dearie," said the sweet old lady, "tisn't to be expected you would - yet awhile. It's just like getting interest in a bank. You have to put in a little something first or you'll never have any! The more you put in, the more you'll get out of it. Try it, dearie, just put in a little something and you're sure of the interest." The old lady's philosophy was simple, but true. If you lack interest in something, it is probably because you have put very little into it. You say you can find no pleasure in Bible study, but have you ever sat down with a concordance and the Scripture and cross-checked the proof text on a given subject? Have you ever read the book of Psalms until you came to some promise that comforted you, and then meditated and rested upon that choice blessing until your soul had drawn all the spiritual honey out of it and your heart overflowed with the sweet nectar of praise? Have you ever completely read a book of the Bible at one sitting so that you could get the entire sense of its message? If not, no wonder you have no interest!
You say you can stir up little enthusiasm for soul winning or personal work, but have you ever tried to speak to someone or really worked at showing others the love of Christ? Have you ever volunteered or spent time visiting the poor and / or needy? If not, it's no wonder you have "no interest."
"Bread For Each Day"
"Yea, I think it meet . . . .to stir you up." 2 Peter 1:13
An elderly lady was once leaving a missionary rally in the company of a young woman. One who was close enough to listen to their conversation was surprised to hear the young girl say rather flippantly, "I just can't get interested in missions!" "Well, dearie," said the sweet old lady, "tisn't to be expected you would - yet awhile. It's just like getting interest in a bank. You have to put in a little something first or you'll never have any! The more you put in, the more you'll get out of it. Try it, dearie, just put in a little something and you're sure of the interest." The old lady's philosophy was simple, but true. If you lack interest in something, it is probably because you have put very little into it. You say you can find no pleasure in Bible study, but have you ever sat down with a concordance and the Scripture and cross-checked the proof text on a given subject? Have you ever read the book of Psalms until you came to some promise that comforted you, and then meditated and rested upon that choice blessing until your soul had drawn all the spiritual honey out of it and your heart overflowed with the sweet nectar of praise? Have you ever completely read a book of the Bible at one sitting so that you could get the entire sense of its message? If not, no wonder you have no interest!
You say you can stir up little enthusiasm for soul winning or personal work, but have you ever tried to speak to someone or really worked at showing others the love of Christ? Have you ever volunteered or spent time visiting the poor and / or needy? If not, it's no wonder you have "no interest."
"Bread For Each Day"
Thursday, September 3, 2015
The Devil's First Question
Come, sit, and enjoy a cup of tea or coffee in the comfort of the Lord: "Let all bitterness, and wrath, and anger, and clamour, and evil speaking be put away from you, with all malice." Ephesians 4:31
" . . . Yea, hath God said?" Genesis 3:1
This is the first question mark in the Bible or in all history. It was asked by the devil, and he has been asking it ever since. His favorite attack is always to cast doubt upon the Word of God. He insinuated that God was very unjust and cruel by denying to His creatures the blessings of the garden. Of course, the Devil "misquoted" the Word of God. He altered it just a little, but that little was fatal. He quoted God as saying, "Ye shall not eat of every tree of the garden." God had said nothing of the sort. God had said, "of every tree of the garden thou mayest freely eat" (Genesis 2:16). This was exactly the opposite of satan's statement. There was only one exception - the tree of the knowledge of good and evil.
Think of the foolishness of satan's question. If Adam and Eve had been prohibited from eating of EVERY tree, how then could they live? They were not permitted to eat FLESH, only fruit and vegetables (Genesis 2:16).
If satan were correct in his quotation of God's Word, it meant that Adam and Eve were doomed to die of starvation. What a cruel suggestion. What a diabolical twisting of the Word of God. The first attack of satan is to create in man's heart "doubt" concerning the Word of God. Satan is the author of doubt - God is the author of faith. Therefore, doubt is of the devil - faith is of God.
Are you troubled with doubts? Doubts about God, the Bible, and your salvation? You can only find the cure for those doubts in God's Word. God is true - the devil is a liar (John 8:44). Peace of heart and mind depends upon the answer to one question: "Whom do you believe: the devil's lie, or God's Word?" Meet your doubts today by using the weapon of our Saviour Himself. "It is written!" "The Lord redeemeth the soul of his servants: and none of them that trust in him shall be desolate" (Psalm 34:22).
"Bread For Each Day"
" . . . Yea, hath God said?" Genesis 3:1
This is the first question mark in the Bible or in all history. It was asked by the devil, and he has been asking it ever since. His favorite attack is always to cast doubt upon the Word of God. He insinuated that God was very unjust and cruel by denying to His creatures the blessings of the garden. Of course, the Devil "misquoted" the Word of God. He altered it just a little, but that little was fatal. He quoted God as saying, "Ye shall not eat of every tree of the garden." God had said nothing of the sort. God had said, "of every tree of the garden thou mayest freely eat" (Genesis 2:16). This was exactly the opposite of satan's statement. There was only one exception - the tree of the knowledge of good and evil.
Think of the foolishness of satan's question. If Adam and Eve had been prohibited from eating of EVERY tree, how then could they live? They were not permitted to eat FLESH, only fruit and vegetables (Genesis 2:16).
If satan were correct in his quotation of God's Word, it meant that Adam and Eve were doomed to die of starvation. What a cruel suggestion. What a diabolical twisting of the Word of God. The first attack of satan is to create in man's heart "doubt" concerning the Word of God. Satan is the author of doubt - God is the author of faith. Therefore, doubt is of the devil - faith is of God.
Are you troubled with doubts? Doubts about God, the Bible, and your salvation? You can only find the cure for those doubts in God's Word. God is true - the devil is a liar (John 8:44). Peace of heart and mind depends upon the answer to one question: "Whom do you believe: the devil's lie, or God's Word?" Meet your doubts today by using the weapon of our Saviour Himself. "It is written!" "The Lord redeemeth the soul of his servants: and none of them that trust in him shall be desolate" (Psalm 34:22).
"Bread For Each Day"
Wednesday, September 2, 2015
Burdens or Wings?
Come, sit, and enjoy a cup of tea or coffee in the comfort of the Lord: "Let all bitterness, and wrath, and anger, and clamour, and evil speaking be put away from you, with all malice." Ephesians 4:31
"For every man shall bear his own burden." Galatians 6:5
There is an ancient legend about the creation of the birds which is very interesting. It tells us that when God made these feathery creatures, He gave them sweet voices and colorful plumage, but did not provide them with equipment for flying. The story goes on that God then laid some beautiful wings on the ground and said to the birds, "Take these burdens and bear them." The birds replied, "Burdens? Oh, how dreadful! Still, Lord, at Thy word we will carry them as bravely and cheerfully as we can." So, although they dreaded to do so, they took them up courageously. Then something wonderful happened! The burdens began to grow and attach themselves to their bodies. The birds stretched them out and suddenly found that by them they were able to fly. What God had called burdens were really wings, without which they would never have been able to soar gracefully into the clear, blue heavens. The story is pure fiction, but it does teach a worthwhile lesson: Our burdens, too, can be turned into wings that will bring us spiritual blessing! If we take them to our hearts with liberal amounts of grace, they will always bear us nearer to God and Heaven.
In life there are burdens of physical pain - heart sorrows - and soul distresses, that others cannot bear for us, much as they may want to help us. There are trials and certain weights of woe that we alone must carry. Although these burdens at times may seem unbearable, we may be sure that the Lord will never give us more than we can carry. Surprisingly, they will become lighter as we ascend to the heights of sanctification. In the end we will find His yoke "easy" and His burden "light" (Matthew 11:30).
While our personal burdens cannot be shifted to the shoulders of others, they can be cast upon the Lord. He does not promise that He will completely remove them but He does assure us that He will "sustain" and give grace sufficient for our need!
"Bread For Each Day"
"For every man shall bear his own burden." Galatians 6:5
There is an ancient legend about the creation of the birds which is very interesting. It tells us that when God made these feathery creatures, He gave them sweet voices and colorful plumage, but did not provide them with equipment for flying. The story goes on that God then laid some beautiful wings on the ground and said to the birds, "Take these burdens and bear them." The birds replied, "Burdens? Oh, how dreadful! Still, Lord, at Thy word we will carry them as bravely and cheerfully as we can." So, although they dreaded to do so, they took them up courageously. Then something wonderful happened! The burdens began to grow and attach themselves to their bodies. The birds stretched them out and suddenly found that by them they were able to fly. What God had called burdens were really wings, without which they would never have been able to soar gracefully into the clear, blue heavens. The story is pure fiction, but it does teach a worthwhile lesson: Our burdens, too, can be turned into wings that will bring us spiritual blessing! If we take them to our hearts with liberal amounts of grace, they will always bear us nearer to God and Heaven.
In life there are burdens of physical pain - heart sorrows - and soul distresses, that others cannot bear for us, much as they may want to help us. There are trials and certain weights of woe that we alone must carry. Although these burdens at times may seem unbearable, we may be sure that the Lord will never give us more than we can carry. Surprisingly, they will become lighter as we ascend to the heights of sanctification. In the end we will find His yoke "easy" and His burden "light" (Matthew 11:30).
While our personal burdens cannot be shifted to the shoulders of others, they can be cast upon the Lord. He does not promise that He will completely remove them but He does assure us that He will "sustain" and give grace sufficient for our need!
"Bread For Each Day"
Tuesday, September 1, 2015
Everlasting Remembrance
Come, sit, and enjoy a cup of tea or coffee in the comfort of the Lord: "Let all bitterness, and wrath, and anger, and clamour, and evil speaking be put away from you, with all malice." Ephesians 4:31
" . . . the righteous shall be in everlasting remembrance." Psalm 112:6
All of us like to be remembered! Some men, like the Pharaoh of old, build pyramids to perpetuate their memory; others, like Nebuchadnezzar, design "Hanging Gardens"; while still others do exploits of historical renown or create things of exceptional beauty to call attention to their name. But all earthly glory will sooner or later fade into nothingness; for "the world passeth away, and the lust thereof." The Bible tells us that the wonders which men have created to perpetuate their name will someday be consumed in a great, end-time explosion when God obliterates the old creation and makes room for His new world-order (2 Peter 3:7-13)! Temporal fame, like the painted wings of a butterfly, may be lovely to look at today, but it will be gone tomorrow! By contrast, "He that doeth the will of God abideth forever" and shall "shine as the stars" (1 John 2:17; Daniel 12;3). We are told that the "name of the wicked shall rot" (Proverbs 10:7), but that the righteous shall be in "everlasting remembrance!"
Dr.Alexander Whyte asked a friend who had been subject to unusual persecution how he was able to endure it. "Oh," he replied, "I always live with the Judgment Seat of Christ and eternity in my view and that makes it easier to bear!"
A veteran Methodist preacher on the way to church was hailed by a scoffer who sought to question his motives for serving the Lord. "Well John," said the infidel, "I suppose you are going to minister because you will get half a crown today for your sermon." Nay, nay," replied the other promptly, "I'm going because I want to get a whole crown by -and-by!"
Faithful servants of God may go unnoticed here, but someday they will receive a "crown of gory which fadeth not away!"
"Bread For Each Day"
" . . . the righteous shall be in everlasting remembrance." Psalm 112:6
All of us like to be remembered! Some men, like the Pharaoh of old, build pyramids to perpetuate their memory; others, like Nebuchadnezzar, design "Hanging Gardens"; while still others do exploits of historical renown or create things of exceptional beauty to call attention to their name. But all earthly glory will sooner or later fade into nothingness; for "the world passeth away, and the lust thereof." The Bible tells us that the wonders which men have created to perpetuate their name will someday be consumed in a great, end-time explosion when God obliterates the old creation and makes room for His new world-order (2 Peter 3:7-13)! Temporal fame, like the painted wings of a butterfly, may be lovely to look at today, but it will be gone tomorrow! By contrast, "He that doeth the will of God abideth forever" and shall "shine as the stars" (1 John 2:17; Daniel 12;3). We are told that the "name of the wicked shall rot" (Proverbs 10:7), but that the righteous shall be in "everlasting remembrance!"
Dr.Alexander Whyte asked a friend who had been subject to unusual persecution how he was able to endure it. "Oh," he replied, "I always live with the Judgment Seat of Christ and eternity in my view and that makes it easier to bear!"
A veteran Methodist preacher on the way to church was hailed by a scoffer who sought to question his motives for serving the Lord. "Well John," said the infidel, "I suppose you are going to minister because you will get half a crown today for your sermon." Nay, nay," replied the other promptly, "I'm going because I want to get a whole crown by -and-by!"
Faithful servants of God may go unnoticed here, but someday they will receive a "crown of gory which fadeth not away!"
"Bread For Each Day"
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